R100 scheme will fail, council leaders claim

Shetland Islands Council leader Emma Macdonald has said the Scottish Government’s flagship R100 (reaching 100) scheme will not fix the connectivity crisis.

Writing for Holyrood’s Local Authorities Guide, she said: “R100 will not solve the connection issues many of our homes in Shetland face as it simply will not deliver, so we need to find different ways to carry out this, working with the government.”

Similarly, Orkney Islands Council leader Heather Woodbridge claimed “complexities” affecting island groups are often ignored in digital transformation projects, citing the R100 scheme and the digital switch off.

Both Orkney and Shetland, are amongst the worst areas for connectivity in the UK, significantly behind the national average.

The R100 programme – which aims to deliver fast-broadband everywhere in Scotland – has come under fire in the past few years for failing to reach remote areas. During First Minister Question’s last year, local MSP Liam McArthur called out then First Minister Humza Yousaf for apparent unfounded claims that superfast broadband was available across Scotland.

Its deadline has also been pushed back to 2028 – seven years later than initially planned.

Council leaders also highlighted their struggle with the digital era amid ongoing financial pressures, pointing to “ageing” technology and “disparate data bases”.

Many local authorities have turned libraries and public sites into digital hubs, offering training, devices, and internet access, yet warn that further support is needed to bridge the gap.

Moray Council leader, Kathleen Robertson said: “It’s no secret that rural Scotland is often behind urban areas when it comes to digital inclusion and just now we are also facing specific connectivity challenges in our schools.

“The infrastructure isn’t necessarily keeping up with the demand we’re placing on it and if we truly want to give our young people the best start in life, and equip them with the skills they need for their future, we need to find workable solutions to these digital issues quickly.

She added: “Furthermore, each council has their own digital mechanisms for delivery. A more joined up national approach to application processes for example would be innovative, such as blue badge applications.”

Other leaders also called out the Scottish Government’s for its apparent unwillingness to understand local issues.

The leader of Falkirk Council cited the region’s Connected Falkirk initiative which has allowed schools to cut down on resources, by providing pupils with devices and improving connectivity.

Cecil Meiklejohn said: “It allows us to maximise the potential of our teaching staff by providing opportunities for more targeted and flexible support for learners. It also opens the door to reimagining how schools operate holistically “.

However, she claimed teacher number “constraints” are a “particular challenge” holding this initiative back.

Earlier this month the Institute for Fiscal Studies urged the Scottish Government to cut down teacher numbers to ease financial pressure, after revealing there will be 90,000 fewer students in schools by 2040. It followed on from the government’s pledge to bring numbers to the 2023 level, around 54,000.

Meiklejohn continued: “While we absolutely value our teachers and the critical role they play, the rigidity of the government’s approach can limit local authorities’ ability to adapt and innovate in ways that best meet the needs of our learners and communities. Connected Falkirk demonstrates how technology can enhance teaching and learning, and it’s a tool we’d like to use to further improve outcomes – if only we had more flexibility to align resources with our specific local priorities.”

Council leaders also sounded a note of caution on the risk posed by disinformation, which is “getting harder to spot” and causing division. South Lanarkshire Council leader Joe Fagan said: “We need to make the effort to create respectful and reasonable online spaces… Creating more civil spaces online, often with longer and more inquisitive interactions, can help us combat the spread of misinformation and misdirected anger.”